Shu Qing spat out several mouthfuls of black blood, covering half his face in it and staining the King of the Underworld’s clothes, making him look quite terrifying. He felt dizzy and weak all over. Fortunately, he managed to stay somewhat conscious and didn’t pass out completely.
He knew the King of the Underworld had picked him up and quickly returned to the sleeping quarters. There were many people rushing in and out, and then he was placed on the bed, his head spinning. Soon, a doctor arrived to check his pulse.
The doctor took a long time, so long that the King of the Underworld began to urge him. Finally, the doctor said gravely, “The pulse of the little immortal is extremely chaotic. It’s really difficult to diagnose based on the pulse alone…”
The King of the Underworld frowned.
The doctor hurriedly added, “But based on my many years of experience, the signs shown by the little immortal suggest symptoms of poisoning.”
Poisoning?
Not only was the King of the Underworld surprised, but even Shu Qing was shocked into a clearer state of mind.
He was actually poisoned?
Who would dare to poison him?
The King of the Underworld quickly asked, “What kind of poison?”
“As for what toxin it is, it’s currently unknown… But what can be confirmed is that the little immortal has been poisoned for some time; it’s not something that happened overnight.”
“The last time I checked the little immortal’s pulse, I noticed some chaos in it. Now it seems that the toxin might have already entered the body back then.”
Thinking back, it made sense. Shu Qing’s health wasn’t great at that time.
“The little immortal must be careful with daily meals. The poisoner likely started from there, accumulating over time until it became apparent.”
“I’ll prescribe some mild detoxifying remedies for the little immortal, though some of the ingredients are—”
The King of the Underworld interrupted, “Just prescribe them. No ingredient is a problem.”
“Yes.”
The doctor bowed and left.
Shu Qing knew he had offended many people, but no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t figure out who would have the guts to poison him.
Finally, he tugged at the King of the Underworld’s sleeve and whispered, “Your Highness, someone wants to harm me…”
The fear was real, and so was the grievance.
Shu Qing never imagined that someone would hate him to this extent and have the ability to poison his food.
The anger was even more real.
He didn’t know who it was, but he believed the King of the Underworld would definitely find out.
When the time came, the poisoner must be cut into pieces, torn apart by horses, to vent this anger.
The King of the Underworld’s expression was serious as he sat by the bed, squeezing Shu Qing’s hand. “Don’t worry, I will find the culprit.”
Shu Qing had a belly full of curses he wanted to say, his expression full of resentment and unwillingness, as if only he could do wrong and couldn’t accept others scheming against him behind his back.
But his head was too dizzy, and speaking was uncomfortable, so Shu Qing had to hold it all back, looking pitifully at the King of the Underworld.
The King of the Underworld’s expression was icy as he looked at the pale and aggrieved little butterfly, his mind constantly flashing back to the image of him spitting blood.
He actually felt a bit of panic.
He ruled over the Underworld, his word was law, and he was the absolute master here.
Yet in his palace, his private domain, someone dared to poison his bedmate.
And it was a poison that couldn’t be traced or diagnosed.
Fortunately, it was discovered in time.
If it had really taken Shu Qing’s life—
The King of the Underworld didn’t want to think further, anger surging in his heart, a strong killing intent appearing in his eyes.
“Bring up the people who serve daily.”
There were quite a few people responsible for serving Shu Qing, about ten or so inside and out, but only Chun Li served closely, having the most contact with Shu Qing.
Knowing that someone had poisoned Shu Qing, Chun Li was the most frightened, kneeling on the ground, trembling uncontrollably.
“Whoever poisoned him, whoever can provide clues, I can spare their life.”
Chun Li was immediately sold out.
“Only Sister Chun Li serves the little immortal closely! Many of the things the little immortal eats are bought by her from the mortal world! Your Highness, please see clearly, it must be her who poisoned him!”
Chun Li was so scared she was at a loss, unable to cry, shaking her head frantically: “…No! I didn’t! Your Highness, please see clearly, how could I dare to poison the little immortal!”
The King of the Underworld’s cold gaze fell on her. “Then tell me, who poisoned him?”
“…I don’t know!”
“Then you deserve to die even more. Everything went through your hands, and you didn’t know it was poisoned. How did you serve?”
The King of the Underworld’s voice was cold and merciless: “Take her away, flog her two hundred times, grind her bones to dust, destroy her soul.”
Several guards immediately rushed in: “Yes!”
Chun Li was dragged away, screaming: “…Your Highness, spare me! Your Highness, spare me! It’s really not me, I wouldn’t dare!”
The King of the Underworld clearly didn’t want to hear her nonsense anymore and didn’t care about the life of such a small maid.
If he couldn’t find the culprit, he would kill all these people.
Better to kill by mistake than to let one go.
But Shu Qing struggled to sit up from the bed, shouting with difficulty: “…Stop!”
With the King of the Underworld present, the guards naturally wouldn’t listen to Shu Qing’s orders and continued to drag Chun Li out.
Shu Qing quickly grabbed the King of the Underworld’s clothes: “…Your Highness, it’s not Chun Li, don’t harm her!”
In his anxiety, the corner of his mouth, which had just been wiped clean, bled a little again.
Only then did the King of the Underworld raise his hand, signaling the guards to stop.
Chun Li crawled back, crying and shouting: “…Little immortal, it’s not me, it’s really not me!”
Shu Qing’s head was spinning, sitting up was uncomfortable, looking like he could collapse at any moment.
Fortunately, the King of the Underworld reached out to hold him in his arms, leaning against the King of the Underworld’s chest, Shu Qing felt much more secure, his head not spinning as much.
The King of the Underworld looked at Shu Qing with some confusion.
In his heart, this little butterfly wasn’t someone with a kind and just character.
He actually wanted to protect this maid?
But Shu Qing just had other personal motives.
Not to mention that Chun Li couldn’t possibly do such a stupid thing, even if she did, Shu Qing wouldn’t kill her for now.
The pass to enter and exit the Underworld was still with her.
Finally catching such an opportunity, if Chun Li died at this time, what would he do next?
And the poisoning incident was a reminder to Shu Qing that he absolutely had to leave here, otherwise, if he wasn’t killed by the King of the Underworld, he would be assassinated by other people.
“Your Highness, Chun Li wouldn’t do such a thing… don’t punish her…”
The King of the Underworld raised an eyebrow, looking at Shu Qing, who was weak and powerless, his eyes lacking spirit, yet determined to protect the maid, feeling inexplicably displeased.
“Even if she didn’t poison you, she failed to take care of you. Such a major incident happened, she must die.”
A cold and chilling killing intent enveloped the entire room.
Chun Li’s face was ashen, already too scared to make a sound.
No one else dared to make a sound either.
Only Shu Qing coughed twice: “…If you really want to count it like that, then it’s also Your Highness’s fault.”
The servants kneeling on the ground held their breath, not daring to look up. The guards stood with their heads down, motionless.
No one expected Shu Qing to say that, actually pushing the blame onto the King of the Underworld.
The King of the Underworld’s face looked even worse: “…You’re saying it’s my fault?”
Shu Qing, unhurried, continued to speak slowly: “Your Highness clearly knows how many people hate me, yet you still neglected me so much recently… Everyone assumed I was going to fall out of favor… That’s probably why the poisoner found an opportunity…”
“That’s because you brought it upon yourself, daring to lay hands on me.”
“…How much strength do I have? It didn’t even hurt when I hit you.”
Shu Qing spoke nonsense, leaning against the King of the Underworld, his tone carrying a hint of complaint: “Now I’m poisoned, alright, someone has avenged Your Highness…”
“…”
Listening to Shu Qing say these things, the King of the Underworld could only think of the words “reckless and ignorant.”
He still knew he was poisoned?
Even in such a weak state, his mouth wouldn’t stop, insisting on saying something infuriating.
But only Shu Qing dared to do so.
This little butterfly, bold and reckless, dared to speak to him like this, dared to say anything.
But while saying infuriating things, he also weakly leaned against him, looking like he was waiting to be coaxed, truly spoiled.
If this little butterfly were really gone—
The King of the Underworld frowned slightly, feeling his whole heart wrinkle.
This infuriating little butterfly was a unique existence, probably hard to find another across the realms.
“When Your Highness neglected me, many people mocked me, only Chun Li treated me the same, carefully serving me, even bringing me various pastries…”
“If Your Highness executes her, who else will treat me like she does?”
Chun Li looked at Shu Qing, tears streaming down her face: “Little immortal…”
“Maybe the mastermind is the Head Butler… Hmph, he hates me so much, last time he mocked me too, maybe he sent someone to poison me.”
Hearing this baseless wild guess, the guards not far away were dumbfounded.
He could still continue.
Even in this state, he wouldn’t miss any chance to speak ill.
It seemed you really couldn’t offend this little immortal.
His way of whispering in the ear was too wild and crude.
Even a completely innocent person, after being talked about like this a few times, would probably have a hard time leaving a good impression in the King of the Underworld’s mind.
The King of the Underworld listened, looking even more helpless.
But holding the little butterfly, feeling the coolness of the thin and frail body in his arms, he ultimately couldn’t hold his capriciousness against him, sighing helplessly: “Then according to your wishes, how should we handle it?”
If it were truly up to Shu Qing, it would be the same as the King of the Underworld, dragging all these people out to be killed.
Better to kill a hundred by mistake than to let one go.
But he had to protect Chun Li, and it wouldn’t be good to kill everyone except Chun Li—too purposeful, the King of the Underworld wasn’t a fool, he might become suspicious.
Since it concerned whether he could leave the Underworld smoothly, Shu Qing wanted to be more cautious.
So he leaned close to the King of the Underworld’s ear, speaking in a volume only the two of them could hear: “The other party hates me so much, now seeing me poisoned, they definitely won’t give up halfway, they’ll surely find another opportunity…”
The King of the Underworld understood his meaning, pondering for a moment: “Take these people away, separate them for questioning, and then I’ll personally decide.”
“Yes.”
The servants in the room all left, and the King of the Underworld stood up, helping Shu Qing lie back down.
“Rest well.”
Seeing the King of the Underworld about to leave, Shu Qing quickly grabbed his hand: “…Where is Your Highness going?”
The King of the Underworld didn’t answer. What he was going to do and where he was going naturally didn’t need to be reported to Shu Qing.
“Your Highness, don’t go, stay with me, I’m scared…”
Afraid the King of the Underworld would secretly deal with all the servants, including Chun Li, where he couldn’t see.
“Your Highness…”
Calling out so obediently and pitifully, it made the King of the Underworld stop in his tracks and sit back down by the bed.
If he had been this obedient earlier, wouldn’t it have saved so much trouble later?
But if he were always this obedient, then he wouldn’t be Shu Qing.
A little troublemaker being obedient once in a while makes one cherish him more.
The King of the Underworld sighed: “Alright, rest, I’ll stay here with you.”
[Author’s Note]
The King of the Underworld is already head over heels for the little butterfly.
The truth is, no one poisoned him; the little butterfly was born with poison, and unfortunately, it poisoned the little butterfly himself (Little Butterfly peeks: Hehe [sunglasses])